ROLF + JOACHIM KÜHN QUINTET – Transfiguration (LP-1967 - Re-LP-1972)

Label: MPS Records – CRM 637

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue / Country: W. Germany / Released: 1972

Original released: / SABA – SB 15 118 ST (LP-1967)

Style: Free Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded January 19, 1967 at Peter von Zahn Studio, Hamburg.

Design [Graphic Work], Layout [Lay-out] – Gigi Berendt

Painting [Cover] – Wojciech Fangor

Photography By – Josef Werkmeister, Maria Rehfuß-Oberländer

Engineer – Henning Rüte

Producer – Joachim E. Berendt

Comes in a gatefold-sleeve

Matrix / Runout (Side A): 599392 -A / SB 15 118 - A

Matrix / Runout (Side B): 599392- B / SB 15 118 – B

A1 - Transfiguration ....................................................................................... 13:48

A2 - Lunch Date .............................................................................................. 8:22

B1 - Solo Flights ............................................................................................ 12:30

B2 - But Strokes Of Folk ................................................................................. 9:00

Personnel:

Rolf Kühn – clarinet, bass clarinet

Joachim Kühn – piano

Karlhanns Berger – vibraphone

Bab Guérin – bass

Aldo Romano – drums, percussion

One of the best records ever cut by the brothers Rolf and Joachim Kühn – a beautiful set of modally influenced tracks that show the strong modernist tradition in European jazz of the 60s! The album's quite sharp-edged for MPS in the mid 60s – and Karl Berger's vibes join the clarinet of Rolf and piano of Joachim – with rhythm support from Beb Guerin on bass and Aldo Romano on drums – both players whose own sense of freedom really unlocks the main soloists! Berger's vibes add a nicely chromatic quality to the record – and the whole thing's relatively free overall – starting with modal impulses, but hardly rhythmic at all, given the way the drums and bass move as freely as the other instruments. Titles include "Lunch Date", "Transfiguration", "Solo Flights", and "But Strokes Of Folk". (Heavy red label MPS pressing, with deep groove!

(Dusty Groove, Inc.)

If you find it, buy this album!

ROLF KÜHN JAZZGROUP – Going To The Rainbow (BASF – CRC 008/LP-1971)

Label: BASF – CRC 008

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: W. Germany / Released: 1971

Style: Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz

Recorded at the Cornet-Studios, Cologne on December 14/15, 1970.

Engineering Wolfgang Hirschmann

Produced by Klaus Lorenzen

Comes in a gatefold-sleeve

German Original Press. Red BASF labels.

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched): A-0051 A-1 / CRC 008 A

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched): A-0051 B-1 / CRC 008 B

A1 - Houndhouse Rock .................................................................................. 4:50

A2 - Sad Ballade ............................................................................................ 3:39

A3 - T.C.B.  ..................................................................................................... 9:45

B1 - Going To The Rainbow ......................................................................... 12:55

B2 - Racing It Down ....................................................................................... 6:55

Musicians:

Rolf Kühn – clarinet

John Surman – baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, electric piano

Alan Skidmore – tenor saxophone

Joachim Kühn – piano, organ

Chick Corea – electric piano

Peter Warren – bass

Tony Oxley – drums, percussion

THE ROLF KUHN JAZZGROUP: "Going To The Rainbow" (BASF Records – CRC 008 / Gatefold Jacket / Rarity). Original 1971 high quality German pressing. Great free Improvisation with spiritual undertones influenced by Miles Davis. One of Kühn's timeless recordings for which he got assisted by heavy weights like John Surman, Alan Skidmore, Chick Corea and Tony Oxley. Absolutely stunning free improv with an addictive rolling groove that really puts the funky cat out there. Highest recommendation.

(Tiliqua Rec.)

If you find it, buy this album!

JOACHIM KÜHN – Cinemascope (LP-1974, MPS/BASF Records)

Label: MPS Records/BASF – 21 22270-5

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Gatefold & Country: Germany / Released: 1974

Style: Fusion, Contemporary Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded May 74 at Conny's Studio.

Artwork By [Cover Art] – Gabriele Laurenz

Artwork By [Design] – Bernhard Wetz

Engineer – Conny Plank

Photography – Bernhard Wetz

Producer – Joachim Kühn, Rolf Kühn

A1/A2 - Zoom - Part 1/Part 2 . . . . . 9:11

               (Written-By – Joachim Kühn, Toto Blanke)

A3 -       One String More . . . . . 8:17

               (Written-By – Joachim Kühn, John Lee)

A4 -       Vibrator . . . . . 2:23

B1/B2 - Travelling - Part 1/Part 2 . . . . . 11:35

               (Written-By – Joachim Kühn, Rolf Kühn)

B3 -       Success . . . . . 5:13

B4 -       Black Tears . . . . . 5:23

Joachim Kühn – leblanc alto sax, fender rhodes electric piano,

                           rabox loudspeaker unit, stramp amplifier

Toto Blanke – electric guitar

John Lee – bass, bass (electric)

Gerry Brown – drums, percussion

Rolf Kühn – arranged, conductor (string orchestra)
Zbigniew Seifert – electric violin (track A3)

Joachim Kühn, talented jazz and fusion keyboardist who had many albums through the 60s and 70s (and beyond). "Cinemascope" is probably the rarest from this time frame, and the one that is most aligned with my personal focus from a musical standpoint. A very strong fusion effort, with Toto Blanke lighting it up on guitar. Features a brilliant gatefold cover.

If you find it, buy this album!

ROLF KÜHN JAZZGROUP – Devil In Paradise (LP-1971)

Label: MPS Records/ BASF – 2021078-2

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: Germany / Released: 1971

Style: Free Jazz, Fusion

Recorded at the Cornet-Studios, Cologne, 20 & 21 June 1971.

Producer By – Klaus Lorenzen

Engineer By – Wolfganf  Hirschmann

Cover Design By – H. Matthies

A1 - Diathyaminoathyl . . . . . 6:56

         (Composed By – Wolfgang Dauner)

A2 - Devil In Paradise . . . . . 6:45

         (Composed By – Joachim Kühn, Rolf Jürgensen, Rolf Kühn)

A3 - More, More, More And More . . . . . 5:25

         (Composed By – Rolf Kühn)

B1 - Wind In The Willows . . . . . 12:07

         (Composed By – Rolf Kühn)

B2 - Clowny . . . . . 6:50

         (Composed By – Albert Mangelsdorff)

Rolf Kühn – clarinet

Alan Skidmore – tenor saxophone

Wolfgang Dauner – electric piano

Joachim Kühn – piano

Albert Mangelsdorff – trombone

Eberhard Weber – bass

Tony Oxley – drums, percussion

When you read the names of the musicians in this unusual band, everything will be clear why I have this album here, now.

ROLF KÜHN JAZZGROUP / Devil In Paradise, five exceptional tracks, great time, and Tony Oxley, Tony is simply divine.

Also, I recommend that you find:

Rolf  Kühn Septet / Going To The Rainbow (LP-1970)

Rolf Kühn (cl), Alan Skidmore (ts), John Surman (bars, ss, el-p), Joachim Kühn (p, org), Chick Corea (el-p), Peter Warren (b), Tony Oxley (d)

If you find it, buy this album!

JOACHIM KÜHN – I´m Not Dreaming (LP-1983)

Label: CMP Records – CMP 22 ST

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: Germany / Released: 1983

Style: Contemporary Jazz, Avant-garde Jazz

Recording and Mixing At Brunwey Studio, Hamburg, March 1983.

Producer – Kurt Renker, Joachim Kühn

Cover Design by Artworker – Kanitz/Gimbut

Photo By – Michael V. Gimbut

A1 - Bechstein . . . . . 2:30

A2 - Heavy Birthday . . . . . 10:12

A3 - Hands . . . . 4:01

A4 - I´m Not Dreaming . . . . . 5:59

B1 - Dark . . . . . 1:53

B2 - Except Anything . . . . . 7:37

B3 - Schloss Bredeneek . . . . . 12:16

Joachim Kühn – piano, composed

George Lewis – trombone

Herbert Försch – marimba, organ (pipes), percussion, cello (tri)

Ottomar Borwitzky – cello

Mark Nauseef – drums, percussion

Rolf Kühn – Arranged, [cello & trombone (track B3)], producer

Experimental jazz recording by Joachim Kühn produced by his brother Rolf Kühn. Not a free jazz record directly but still some seriously avantgarde elements. Stand out cut is Heavy Birthday but take a listen to the abstract Castle Bredeneek.

This album - released on CMP Records - bring together such disparate influences as free jazz, rock, modal jazz, sound experiments and chamber music. 'I'm Not Dreaming' from 1983 features trombonist George Lewis, cellist Ottomar Borwitzky (who adds a distinctly different sound) and percussionist Mark Nauseef. Enjoy!



If you find it, buy this album!